POWER FOR PINE ISLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20332, 13 August 1929, Page 11

POWER FOR PINE ISLAND.

CONNECTION TOO COSTLY.

I!ARBOUR BOARD'S REQUIREMENTS

Described by tho chairman, Mr. J. W. lfayden, as "another nail in tho coffin of tho lino to Pino Island," a letter revived from tho Auckland Harbour Board afc yesterday's meeting of the Waitemata Power Board precludes for tho time being tho liklihood of tho island being supplied with electric power. The Harbour Board intimated that no objection would bo mado to tho erection of the overhead 11,000-volt lino from Greenliitho to Pine Island, provided thero -was a minimum . clearance from high water at spring tides in tho middle of the span of 75ft. Tho cost of this the Tower Boaj-d regards as excessive.

At a meeting of the board last month letters were from tho Marine Department and tho Defence Department imposing restrictions of a similar nature to that indicated by the Harbour Board. The Defence Department, on the ground of danger to aircraft, objected to the erection of any lino except from Whenuapai, *to which tho board's reticulation system has not yet extended. * The Marine Department and tho Harbour Board required a clearance of 75ft. to allow for the passage of shipping. It was suggested by the Marine Department that a submarine cable should be laid to the island. This course the engineer, Mr. F. ,T. H. Wilson, considered would bo too costly, compared with the projected revenue from the island, which is owned by the Devonport Ferry Company and used largely' by picnic and summer camping parties. Tho engineer stated the 75ft. minimum would require several. 100 ft. steel towers and tho cost would bo out of proportion to the rovenuo to bo delived. The maximum clcaranco ho had proposed was 45ft. Tt was decided to notify the Ferry Company that reticulation of the island would bo- impossible until tho board s power system had reached "VVhenuapai.